Metallic reinforce for harness-collars.



PATENTED APR. 3, 1906.

J. G. HOOPBR. METALLIC REINPORCE FOR HARNESS CULLA APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 9. 1905.

M/Uenffoz: JEM/vh 7. Hape y UNITED STATES PATENT orrron.

JOSEPH CRAFTS HOOPER, OF SAN FRANCISCO,V CALIFORNIAQ METALLIC REINFORCE FOR HARNESS-COLLARS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 3, 1,906.`

Application filed September 9,1905. Serial No. 277,734.

To all whom it may concer-71,:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH CRAFTS HOOPER, a citizen of the United States, residing at San Francisco, in the county of San Francisco and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Metallic Reinforces for Harness-Collars, of which the following is a specification, refervence being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to an improvement inmetal reinforces for the throats of horsecollars; and the object of the invention is the provision of a rigid metal reinforce which may be applied to the throat portion of the rim of a completed collar and which when so applied will substantially encircle the rim of the collar and will extend a sufficient distance upward along the rim of the collar to form a rigid reinforce, which will effectually prevent bucklingof the collar.

In the drawings accompanying this specification, wherein a preferable embodiment of my invention is shown, and wherein like numerals of reference refer to similar parts in the several views, Figure l is a perspective view of my improved metal reinforce. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a horse collar, showing the reinforce applied to the throat portion of the rim thereof; and Fig. 3 is a transverse section of a horse-collar having the reinforce applied thereto.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, Adesignates the reinforce member, which is curved throughout its length to conform to the curvature of the throat portion of the rim of the collar to which it is designed to be applied and which comprises a portion A', which is substantially semicircular in crosssection to conform to the configuration of the outer portion of the rim of the collar, and the straight portions A2, which extend tangentially from the edges of the portion A. The reinforce member A is formed from a single piece of metal, preferably sheetsteel, either by stamping or in any other suitable manner. The reinforce member is made sufficiently long so that when appliedto the collar it will extend for some little distance up the sides thereof, thereby forming a rigid brace for the lower portion and sides of the collar, which effectively prevents buckling of the same.

To secure the reinforce member to a collar, the throat portion of the rim of the collar is introduced between the straight portions A2 thereof, the curved portion of the body of the reinforce snugly embracing the outer portion of the rim of the collar and the straight portions of the reinforce extending inwardly toward the body portion of the collar. The straight portions A2 of the reinforce are then compressed in any suitable manner through out their entire length onto the rim adjacent the body portion of the collar. The combined width of the straight portions A2 is slightly less than the line of true curvature between the edges of the semicircular portion A of the reinforce member, so that when said reinforce member is placed upon the rim of a collar and the straight portions thereof are compressed onto said rim a slight space Will be left between the edges of said straight portions, between which is positioned the portion of the collar which connects the body portion and the rim.

From the above construction it will be apparent that I have provided a reinforce member which can be readily applied to the throat portion of the rim of a collar and which when so applied will substantially encircle the rim of the collar and will extend up a sufficient distance along the sides of the collar to form a rigid brace for the lower portion thereof, and therefore prevent buckling of the same.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. Asanew article of manufacture, a reinforce for the throat portion of the rims of harness-collars, consisting of an integral substantially tubular metal reinforce curved throughout its length to conform to the curvature of the throat portion of the rim of the collar and having a longitudinal opening throughout one side thereof to permit the introduction of the rim, said member being rigid throughout whereby the same is held by its own rigidityin its applied position against movement on the rim. Y

2. The combination with a horse-collar, of a reinforce for the rim thereof, comprising IOO an integral substantially tubular reinforce Y secure the saine thereon,t-will be held solely curved throughout its length to conform to 'b'yits ownrigidity'in its applied position. ro the curvature of the rim of the collar and hav- In testimony whereof 'I aflix my signature ing a longitudinal opening at one side-thereof in presence of two witnesses.

to permit its introduction onto the rim, said JOSEPH CRAFTS HOOPERh reinforce being formed throughout of rigid Witnesses: material, whereby when the edges thereof HENRY M. MCGILL, are compressed onto the rim of the collar to HENRY H. SHED. 

